the only thing i keep at work is rye bread in the freezer and some peanut butter in the cupboard, and i do label them with my name! i’m pretty good at bringing my own lunch but having the option for PB on toast is great for afternoon hunger pangs.

chilli jam and olive paste (good ones) for brightening up sandwiches and crackers

My work pantry/fridge always has muesli and yoghurt, usually quick oats and milk, sometimes tinned fruit in those plastic jars. Keeping nuts, muffins, crackers at work is just not a good idea as I know I will end up munching the lot when not really hungry. Fruit I’m good at bringing every day. Lunch I usually don’t have a problem with bringing but have been faltering due to busyness/lack of planning – which would be a perfect time to have some bread in the freezer and ingredients in the fridge.

Except for one difficulty – my partner! I also want him to eat well and save money by not buying lunch. But his work is so hectic that he just won’t stop to put a sandwich together. Or eat any kind of fruit that requires peeling or chopping. Or wait for frozen leftovers to defrost in the microwave. Still, I could leave a few things at work for the days he has lunch meetings and I can’t be bothered making a sandwich for myself. Time I investigated commercial soups again to see if one’s turned up recently that’s not full of sodium.

So, again, I will modify this challenge to get my home fridge/freezer restocked with sandwich ingredients. On the plan:
-bread
-homemade roast beef and chicken
-baby spinach
-digging out all the jars of pickles and chutneys from the pantry and fridge so I actually know what I’ve got
-trying out a suggestion I saw once about making a whole loaf of sandwiches without the fresh veg, freezing them, and only having to add salad later.

Any suggestions for veg that goes in a sandwich, requires no prep, and doesn’t go slimy after 3 days?

I started squirreling away food in a file drawer because I wanted to have local food choices at work. Mostly I bring what’s leftover from dinner for lunch but I generally keep almond butter as a back up to put on fruit for a bit of afternoon protein. I also maintain a supply of yogurt and honey and any variety of attractive seasonal fruit on a shelf above my desk. Lastly, I keep a bag of home made soup in the office freezer, which no one else uses, for the days I have nothing else. All of these keep the afternoon cookie panic at bay.

I’d be so unhappy without my office stash!
In my desk drawer:
microwave popcorn (single serving bags)
instant oatmeal
cereal bars
Luna bars
almonds
pumpkin seeds
jar of peanut butter
kavli rye crisp crackers
laughing cow light cheese wedges
dried apples
dates
Fiber One cereal (to add to my yogurt)
Low-fat graham crackers (good with peanut butter)
measuring spoons/cups

In the fridge:
yogurt
string cheese
mustard
applesauce
almond milk

In the freezer:
Amy’s organic burrito
Vita muffins

On my desk:
Fruit bowl that I add and subtract from on a daily basis
herbal tea
honey

I love these suggestions – so interesting to read what everyone keeps in their office drawers.

And Katrina – I think good, seasonal fruit which you like is such an important addition. Means you’re likely to actually eat it.

Gwyneth I do like the way you’re modifying the challenges to suit you. I’ve also seen something about freezing a loaf of sandwiches, but also can’t think where from.

As for vegetables that are easy to prepare but don’t go slimey after three days . . . hmmm more tricky. Grated carrot? Washed and dried rocket or spinach should keep that long? Tinned beetroot? Or roast some vegetables and mash them in?

Kathryn I think it was one of the ‘survival from/of the fittest’ books…